Men’s Underwear Fabric Types for Every Man


Acrylic

A synthetic fiber known for its wicking capabilities due to its quick drying time, Acrylic adds strength and durability to fabrics. A less breathable fabric, acrylic fabric is great at retaining heat.

 Bamboo

Made from the pulp of bamboo grass, Bamboo fabric is light and strong. It has wicking properties, is somewhat antibacterial, and is perfect for those with allergic reactions to other alternative fibers, like wool and hemp. Bamboo fabric is also known for being quite stretchy.

Combed Cotton

A type of extremely soft and lustrous Cotton subjected to an extra production step in which short fibers are removed, and remaining fibers are straightened.

Cotton

A natural fiber approximately 3/8 to 2 inches long, Cotton is perhaps the most popular fiber for fabric in the world. It is soft, comfortable and breathes well. It is also well-known for its high humidity absorption rate and for it's ability to hold onto heat released from the body.

COOLMAX®

COOLMAX® is a series of specially engineered polyester fabrics with moisture wicking capabilities often used in active-wear. COOLMAX® fabrics are also resistant to fading, wrinkling and shrinking.

Elastane When combined with cotton, elastane provides material with stronger elasticity. Elastane will improve the mobility of a garment while giving an overall tighter fit to the body.

Latex

Latex is made with rubber and therefore tends to be skin-tight. It’s used in elastics to enhance elasticity and has similar qualities to Spandex.

Microfiber

Known for it’s moisture-wicking properties, Microfiber can be any manufactured synthetic fiber (poly or nylon.) Fabrics made with Microfiber are light-weight and durable, matching the qualities of natural fibers.

Modal

 

 

 

Once considered an “artificial silk,” Modal is a type of Rayon and is smooth, soft and breathes extremely well. An extremely luxurious fabric, it’s cool to the touch, absorbent and similar in texture to Silk or Cotton. Unlike Cotton, however, it is resistant to shrinkage and less likely to fade or pill.

Nylon

A synthetic fabric made from petroleum product, Nylon was first developed as an alternative to Silk. It’s lightweight, durable, resistant to damage, and has low moisture absorbency.

Organic Cotton

Made from non-genetically altered plants, Organic Cotton is certified when grown without the use of agricultural chemicals. Complying with the Global Organic Textile Standard, organic cotton has a lower impact on global warming, soil eutrophication and water waste than traditional cotton.

Organza

A semi-translucent, sheer fabric with a look and feel similar to Satin, Organza is a lightweight fabric blend of Nylon, Polyester, and Silk. Delicate by nature, organza should be hand-washed or dry cleaned.

Pima Cotton

With longer fibers than Cotton, Pima Cotton is known for its durability and absorbency.

Polyester

An extremely durable synthetic fiber, Polyester has superb strength, resilience and generally does not wrinkle. It is quick drying, maintains shape and is known for its ability to hold color well. Polyester is very easy to handle.

Rayon

A semi-synthetic fabric, rayon is incredibly versatile as it can mimic the likeness of other fabrics and can be used in nearly all clothing types. Hand-washing rayon is recommended as it is known to stretch, shrink and bleed in a standard washing machine.

Ring Spun Cotton

Reproduced on ring frame equipment, Ring Spun Cotton is fine and extremely soft. It is known as a superior cotton as it is much more durable than traditional cotton.

Satin

Satin is made with Polyester, Acetate, Nylon and Rayon. Extremely soft, it is traditionally glossy on one side, and dull on the other.

Silk

A filament fiber formed from proteins secreted by silkworms, Silk is known for its softness, insulation and strength.

Spandex

Spandex is a synthetic fiber made from polyurethane. An alternative to Latex, it is lightweight, elastic, durable, and resistant to moisture.

Supima® Cotton

Supima® Cotton is the highest quality Cotton. It is made from long fibers, and provides a higher quality fabric than other Cottons.

Viscose Rayon

Viscose is the oldest manufactured fiber, and is ideal for intimate apparel. It is soft and lightweight, and provides exceptional wicking capabilities. Fabrics made with Viscose Rayon are typically silk-like, and feel somewhat heavy against the skin.

Today, there’s an astonishing array of men’s underwear fabric types, combinations and blends; underwear is definitely not just made out of cotton anymore. Now, more than ever, you get more choice in what you wear and when you wear it. Men’s underwear fabric types are literally so varied that you could wear a different fabric or fabric blend each day of the year.
 
The Underwear Expert’s comprehensive men’s underwear fabric types glossary breaks down these options and details the fabrics you’ll find in today’s men’s underwear in clear, concise and easy to read terms. There’s a fabric for every guy out there. 

Men’s underwear fabric types include:

  • Luxury fabric blends.
  • Athletic and performance fabric combinations.
  • Quick-dry fabric
  • Every day and special occasion fabrics.
  • Easy-to-care-for fabrics.
  • Hypoallergenic fabrics.
  • All-natural fabric blends.
  • …and everything in between.

Now, with The Underwear Expert’s fabric glossary, you can find the fabric that’s right for you, so that you can make the most of your underwear.
 
Men’s underwear fabric types are currently driving the technical evolution of men’s underwear, too. 

Innovative enhancements are increasingly added to men’s underwear fabric types; they include:

  • Anti-microbial.
  • Wicking.
  • Fast-drying.
  • Anti-cling.
  • Anti-sag.
  • …and more.

These are just a few of the many innovations being incorporated into men’s underwear fabric types. Amazingly, the vast offerings of men’s underwear fabric types are even more varied than men’s underwear styles, which are now more varied than ever. Trust us: the more you know about fabrics, the better you’ll feel and the better you feel, the better your underwear looks.

 

Join the Curated Underwear Club